Mr. Menendez (for
himself, Mr. Cornyn,
Mr. Reid, Mr.
Durbin, Mr. Udall of
Colorado, and Mr. Bennet)
submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed
to

RESOLUTION

Recognizing the historical significance of
the Mexican holiday of Cinco de Mayo.

Whereas May 5, or Cinco de Mayo in Spanish,
is celebrated each year as a date of great importance by the Mexican and
Mexican-American communities;

Whereas the Cinco de Mayo holiday commemorates May 5,
1862, the date on which the Battle of Puebla was fought by Mexicans who were
struggling for their independence and freedom;

Whereas Cinco de Mayo has become one of the most famous
Mexican national holidays and is celebrated annually by nearly all Mexicans and
Mexican-Americans, north and south of the United States-Mexico border;

Whereas the Battle of Puebla was but one of the many
battles that the courageous Mexican people won in their long and brave struggle
for independence and freedom;

Whereas the French, confident that their battle-seasoned
troops were far superior to the almost amateurish Mexican forces, expected
little or no opposition from the Mexican army;

Whereas the French army, which had not experienced defeat
against any of the finest troops of Europe in more than half a century,
sustained a disastrous loss at the hands of an outnumbered, ill-equipped, and
ragged, but highly spirited and courageous, Mexican force;

Whereas after three bloody assaults on Puebla in which
more than a thousand gallant Frenchmen lost their lives, the French troops were
finally defeated and driven back by the outnumbered Mexican troops;

Whereas the courageous and heroic spirit that Mexican
General Zaragoza and his men displayed during that historic battle can never be
forgotten;

Whereas many brave Mexicans willingly gave their lives for
the causes of justice and freedom in the Battle of Puebla on Cinco de
Mayo;

Whereas the sacrifice of the Mexican fighters was
instrumental in keeping Mexico from falling under European domination;

Whereas Cinco de Mayo serves as a reminder that the
foundation of the United States is built by people from many nations and
diverse cultures who are willing to fight and die for freedom;

Whereas Cinco de Mayo also serves as a reminder of the
close ties between the people of Mexico and the people of the United
States;

Whereas in a larger sense, Cinco de Mayo symbolizes the
right of a free people to self-determination, just as Benito Juarez once said,
El respeto al derecho ajeno es la paz (The respect of
other people's rights is peace); and

Whereas many people celebrate during the entire week in
which Cinco de Mayo falls: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate—

(1)

recognizes the
historical struggle for independence and freedom of the people of Mexico;
and

(2)

calls upon the
people of the United States to observe Cinco de Mayo with appropriate
ceremonies and activities.